The Sydney Theatre Company confirmed it had received a complaint alleging misconduct that continued for several months during the play's run.

The complaint was made after the play had ended in January 2016, but no details have been published.

Rush has now announced, in a press conference, that he has filed defamation proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against the Daily Telegraph.

The newspaper, owned by News Corp Australia, ran allegations against Rush that he called hyperbolic and untrue.

"They have splashed spurious claims with bombastic titles on their front pages," he told reporters at the press conference.

"This has created irreparable damage to my reputation, has been extremely hurtful to my wife, my daughter and my son, and to my extended family, as well as to many colleagues in the film, television and theatre industry."

The allegations have come after a string of high profile sexual abuse complaints against entertainment industry heavyweights such as Harvey Weinstien, Kevin Spacey and Matt Lauer.